Launch and space vehicle control studies. Volume 2 - Space vehicle control studies Final report
Control and stabilization of space vehicles
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Control and stabilization of space vehicles
A method of control is developed based on the reactive torques as seen by the individual CMG gimbals. The application of a torque to the gimbal of a CMG rotates the momentum vector and applies a torque to the spacecraft according to well-known laws. The response (rotation) of the vehicle produces a reverse or reaction torque opposing the torque producing the gimbal movement. The reactive torque and the pseudoinverse control schemes are contrasted in order to point out the simplicity of the first method. Simulation was performed only to the extent necessary to prove that reactive torque stabilization and control is feasible.
Rendezvous during the unmanned space exploration missions, such as a Mars Rover/Sample Return will require a completely automatic system from liftoff to docking. A conceptual design of an automated rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking system is being implemented and validated at the Johnson Space Center (JSC). The emphasis is on the progress of the development and testing of a prototype system for control of the rendezvous vehicle during proximity operations that is currently being developed at JSC. Fuzzy sets are used to model the human capability of common sense reasoning in decision making tasks and such models are integrated with the expert systems and engineering control system technology to create a system that performs comparably to a manned system.
Rendezvous during the unmanned space exploration missions, such as a Mars Rover/Sample Return will require a completely automatic system from liftoff to docking. A conceptual design of an automated rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking system is being implemented and validated at the Johnson Space Center (JSC). The emphasis is on the progress of the development and testing of a prototype system for control of the rendezvous vehicle during proximity operations that is currently being developed at JSC. Fuzzy sets are used to model the human capability of common sense reasoning in decision-making tasks and such models are integrated with the expert systems and engineering control system technology to create a system that performs comparably to a manned system.
Description of a new scheme using parabolic switching boundaries as opposed to the current method of linear switching to improve the fuel consumption of manned orbital space vehicles. Fuel consumption during error recovery and limit cycle phases are both considered.
Spacecraft attitude control during rocket-powered flight, free-fall coast, and atmospheric glide conditions
Digitized nonlinear filter for Saturn 5 attitude control in S-1C boost phase
Fourier transforms in a special purpose computer were utilized to obtain power spectral density functions from electromyograms of the biceps brachii, triceps brachii, brachioradialis, flexor carpi ulnaris, brachialis, and pronator teres in eight subjects performing isometric tracking tasks in two directions utilizing a prototype spacecraft rotational hand controller. Analysis of these spectra in general purpose computers aided in defining muscles involved in performing the task, and yielded a derived measure potentially useful in predicting task termination. The triceps was the only muscle to show significant differences in all possible tests for simple effects in both tasks and, overall, was the most consistently involved of the six muscles. The total power monitored for triceps, biceps, and brachialis dropped to minimal levels across all subjects earlier than for other muscles. However, smaller variances existed for the biceps, brachioradialis, brachialis, and flexor carpi ulnaris muscles and could provide longer predictive times due to smaller standard deviations for a greater population range.
From the control point of view, spacecraft are classified into two main groups: those for which the spacecraft is fully defined before the control system is designed; and those for which the control system must be specified before certain interchangeable parts of a multi-purpose spacecraft are selected for future missions. Consideration is given to both classes of problems.
The efficacy of dual quaternion spaceflight guidance, navigation and control (GNC) systems was investigated by developing a dual quaternion GNC system and computing its computational complexity for comparison to traditional GNC styles.
Space vehicle, guidance, and control summary and bibliography
Quaternion representation of successive rotations in space vehicle control, locating final position of coordinate frame with respect to original position
Space vehicle attitude control systems - manned space station, satellite in elliptic orbit, and solar perturbation of Mars Orbiter
Control law for double-gimbaled control moment gyros used for space vehicle attitude control
Gyroscopic coupling in space vehicle attitude control systems
Analysis and design of space vehicle control systems - short period dynamics of attitude control during launch and autopilot design
Variational calculus, gradient methods, maximum principle, and dynamic programing methods of optimal control theory of space vehicles
Strapdown star tracker for space vehicle attitude control, using scanning and error-signal determination method